Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49

This is a really well built, nice-feeling midi controller, but it integrates poorly (at least on my Windows set up). When it works, it really puts you in command of the NI instruments you own and is an upgrade to the experience of working with them.

However, too often it just doesn't work. Most times it is not recognized by the Komplete software, or at least not fully (knobs function but keyboard doesn't). I read posts saying to activate it in Midi settings in the Komplete standalone to fix this problem, but I have to do that every time and even then sometimes it just will not activate.

So overall, I cannot recommend it. The time I've lost trying to get it to work is measured in hours, not minutes, and when I have pressing deadlines this is an inspiration killer and stress inducer.

I bought the keyboard mainly because I just wanted to change my MIDI controller but it changed my whole creative workflow!! It's so easy to use and integrate with the software that I can just sit by the keyboard for hours and hours trying sounds and effects without the choppy clicking GUI in the way!

The feel of the keyboard is great and for the price I thought the software included was really good value. The only cons I can think of is that the keys are a bit clunky and heavy (got used to this after some time) and that it lacks a MIDI-output.

Pros:
- Intuitive hardware
- Price
- Build and overall feel

Cons:
- Key press is a bit "clunky"
- No MIDI output

The keybed feels really good, well built, maybe slightly too large.

CONS:
-Also the knobs can't be disabled so during mixing, if I'm reaching to something behind the keyboard, on the desk, I bump into the knobs and change value..!!
-DAW transport controls are not responsive most of the time. I'm using Ableton and it really the keyboard really struggles to connect. (while MIDI works perfectly)
I try to change instance and control the DAW, but it's not working at all. Sometimes it is, and it's a breeze, but then it's not reliable.

Selling it to buy something better!

I bought this Controller to interact with Cubase LE and Acid Music Pro
Its well built, with very smooth knobs and buttons, 8 of which are touch sensitive. It also has a series of buttons to interact with the DAW such as stop, play, rewind etc, and you can browse Komplete Instruments with a control knob then select straight from the keyboard.
So why only 3 stars?, Because I feel they released this device too early, the supplied software "Komplete Kontrol" does not fully support it, and the "Controller editor" software does not work with this keyboard. And also, I cant find any option to control the key velocity, as it stands you have to pound on the keys to get a reasonable level of sound.

There is currently no method of reassigning buttons or the keys on this device at all. Native Instruments state it will be supported by Komplete Kontrol "as some time in the future"

In hindsight, I should have waited until "some time in the future" before purchasing this device.

My advice, buy the S series if you can afford it, otherwise wait a while.

PROS:
- Build quality, knobs & mod/pitch wheels are very responsive and have a very nice feel.
- The keybed is very nice, even if a little noisy and stiff in the beginning, after playing on it for a day, it comfortably loosens up.

CONS:
- NI it's "policies"...
- If you use FLStudio, get prepared to map your keyboard over and over again using CCs. It doesn't happen in Ableton, it's fully integrated there - except for the arp and chord functions which only work with KK's sofware (you can use it as a plugin in your DAW)
- The KK software is nice but bugged like nothing else: it often fails to recognize plugins/libraries, even those provided by NI with the keyboard itself, so be prepared to reinstall plugins/libraries (some of them several times) and be prepared to give up on some of your own which KK doesn't recognize at all.
- No integration with Kontakt 6 itself, sometimes fails to recognize Kontakt as a plugin.
- Velocity is broken - at least on my keyboard - you need to hammer the keys to get to 100-110, you only hit 127 with fixed velocity.